Research Stations

Finland maintains several research stations within the Arctic Circle, focusing on various aspects of Arctic research including biology, ecology, atmospheric science, and environmental monitoring. These stations serve as crucial hubs for understanding Arctic ecosystems and climate change impacts.

1. Kilpisjärvi Biological Station

Kilpisjärvi Biological Station - INTERACT

Location: Northwest Finland, near the borders with Sweden and Norway

Managed By: University of Helsinki

Focus: Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems, biology, ecology, and environmental sciences

Key Features:

  • Conducts research on Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems
  • Focuses on biology, ecology, and environmental sciences
  • Provides facilities for field research and education
Kilpisjärvi Biological Station

2. Pallas-Sodankylä Global Atmosphere Watch Station

Pallas-Sodankylä - INTERACT

Location: Northern Finland, close to the Arctic Circle

Managed By: Finnish Meteorological Institute

Focus: Atmospheric research, climate change monitoring, air quality, and radiation

Key Features:

  • Part of the Global Atmosphere Watch network
  • Monitors climate change and air quality
  • Contributes to global climate observation system
Pallas-Sodankylä Station

3. Oulanka Research Station

Oulanka Research Station - INTERACT

Location: Near the Finnish-Russian border in northeastern Finland

Managed By: University of Oulu

Focus: Biodiversity and environmental research in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments

Key Features:

  • Studies biodiversity in Arctic environments
  • Conducts environmental research
  • Provides facilities for international research collaboration
Oulanka Research Station

4. Värriö Subarctic Research Station

Location: Värriötunturi fell area, eastern Lapland

Managed By: University of Helsinki

Focus: Ecological and meteorological research, forest ecosystems and wildlife

Key Features:

  • Studies forest ecosystems and wildlife
  • Conducts ecological and meteorological research
  • Located in pristine subarctic environment
Värriö Subarctic Research Station

Other Research Institutes

1. Arctic Research Centre at the University of Lapland (Arctic Centre)

Location: Rovaniemi, Finland

Managed By: University of Lapland

Focus: Multidisciplinary research including environmental science, indigenous peoples' rights, and Arctic governance

Key Features:

  • Conducts multidisciplinary Arctic research
  • Studies indigenous peoples' rights
  • Focuses on Arctic governance and policy
Arctic Research Centre

2. Sodankylä Space Research Centre

Location: Sodankylä, Finland

Managed By: Finnish Meteorological Institute

Focus: Atmospheric and space physics, satellite observations, and ground-based data for climate monitoring

Key Features:

  • Conducts atmospheric and space physics research
  • Performs satellite observations
  • Collects ground-based data for climate monitoring
Sodankylä Space Research Centre
Source: Field Sites Archive - INTERACT

Policy

Government
Ministry
Research
International

Icebreakers

Finland maintains a fleet of advanced icebreakers that are crucial for maintaining year-round maritime operations in the Baltic Sea and Arctic waters. These vessels play a vital role in ensuring safe navigation and supporting research activities.

Sisu Otso Kontio MSV Fennica
Image Icebreaker Sisu Icebreaker Otso Icebreaker Kontio MSV Fennica
Date of Launch 1976 1986 1987 1993
Introduction Sisu (Callsign OHMW) is a Finnish icebreaker of the Atle class built in 1976 in Helsinki. Her sister, Urho, is nearly identical. Sisu has accommodations fitted with classrooms for maritime students. Urho's accommodations are reserved for public relations uses. Otso is a Finnish state-owned icebreaker. Built by Wärtsilä Helsinki shipyard in 1986 to replace the aging Karhu-class icebreakers, she was the first Finnish post-war icebreaker to be built without bow propellers. Otso has an identical sister ship, Kontio, which was delivered in 1987. Kontio is a Finnish state-owned icebreaker. Built by Wärtsilä Helsinki shipyard in 1987 as a replacement for the aging Karhu-class icebreakers, she and her sister ship Otso were the first Finnish post-war icebreakers to be built without bow propellers. MSV Fennica is a Finnish multipurpose icebreaker and offshore support vessel. Built in 1993 by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland and operated by Arctia Offshore, she was the first Finnish icebreaker designed to be used as an escort icebreaker in the Baltic Sea during the winter months and in offshore construction projects during the open water season.
Dimensions Length: 104.7 m
Beam: 23.8 m
Draft: 8.3 m		 Length: 99 m
Beam: 24.2 m
Draft: 8 m		 Length: 99 m
Beam: 24.2 m
Draft: 8 m		 Length: 116 m
Beam: 26 m
Draft: 8.4 m
Gross Tonnage 7,800 GT 7,189 GT 7,066 GT 9,392 GT
Installed Power 5 × Wärtsilä-Pielstick 12PC2-5V-400 4 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V32 (4 × 5,460 kW) 4 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V32 (4 × 5,460 kW) 4 × Wärtsilä 12V32D (4 × 5,460 kW)
Capacity Fuel Capacity: Approximately 660,430 gallons (2,500,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Operates on 16 members		 Fuel Capacity: Approximately 544,986 gallons (2,063,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Accommodates 23 crew members, 12 client beds		 Fuel Capacity: Approximately 528,344 gallons (2,000,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Operates on 53 members		 Fuel Capacity: Approximately 446,350 gallons (1,690,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Accommodates 29 crew members, 48 client beds
MSV Nordica Polaris IB Voima IB Urho
Image MSV Nordica Polaris IB Voima IB Urho
Date of Launch 1994 2016 1954 1975
Introduction MSV Nordica, Fennica's identical sister ship, is a Finnish multipurpose icebreaker and offshore support vessel. Polaris is a Finnish icebreaker. Built in 2016 by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, she is the most powerful icebreaker ever to fly the Finnish flag, and the first icebreaker in the world to feature dual-fuel engines capable of using both low-sulfur marine gas oil (LSMGO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). IB Voima is the oldest vessel in Arctia's icebreaker fleet, the longest-serving icebreaker for more than half a century. Commissioned in 1954, the Voima was the first of the Finnish post-war icebreakers to emerge from Finland's post-war rebuilding programme. At the time of its launch, the vessel was a special case, even from an international perspective. For the first time in the world, an icebreaker had been fitted with fore propellers with opposite rotation. IB Urho is a powerful icebreaker vessel built in 1975 at the Wärtsilä Helsinki shipyard in Finland. It is part of the Arctia Ltd. fleet, which has a long-standing tradition of icebreaking in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is equipped for various tasks, including towing operations and hydrographic surveys, and effective navigation even under challenging conditions.
Operating Depth As a surface vessel, the MSV Nordica operates on the water's surface and does not have a specified operating depth like a submarine. As a surface vessel, the Polaris operates on the water's surface and does not have a specified operating depth like a submarine. As a surface vessel, the IB Voima operates on the water's surface and does not have a specified operating depth like a submarine. As a surface vessel, the IB Urho operates on the water's surface and does not have a specified operating depth like a submarine.
Dimensions 116 × 26 × 8.4 110 × 24 × 8.9 83.5 × 19.4 × 7.3 104.7 × 23.8 × 8.3
Gross Tonnage 9,392 9,333 3,850 7,800
Installed Power 4 × Wärtsilä 12V32D (4 × 5,460 kW) 2 × Wärtsilä 9L34DF + 2 × Wärtsilä 12V34DF (2 × 4,500 kW + 2 × 6,000 kW) 4 × 3,000 kW main engines 5 × Wärtsilä-Pielstick 12PC2-5V-400
Capacity Fuel Capacity: Approximately 446,450 gallons (1,690,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Accommodates 29 crew members, 48 client beds		 Fuel Capacity: Approximately 446,450 gallons (1,690,000 liters)
Crew Capacity: Operates on 27 members, 48 client beds		 Fuel Capacity: N/A
Crew Capacity: 48 crew members		 Fuel Capacity: N/A
Crew Capacity: 44 crew members

Scientific Expedition

Finnish Arctic Expeditions

Finland has a rich history of Arctic research and continues to conduct significant scientific expeditions in the region. These expeditions contribute valuable data to our understanding of Arctic ecosystems, climate change, and environmental impacts.

For more information about Finnish Arctic expeditions, visit the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland, which offers a comprehensive view of research activities and findings.

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Event Timeline

Finland has a rich history of Arctic research and exploration, with significant milestones in scientific research, international cooperation, and environmental protection. Here's a chronological overview of major events that have shaped Finland's Arctic presence.

1882
1883
1932
1940
1957
1987
1988
1996
1999
2000
2007
2012
2015
2018
2023
1882-1883

First International Polar Year

Finland participated in the inaugural International Polar Year, a coordinated international effort to study polar environments. Researchers gathered vital meteorological and geomagnetic data in the Arctic, setting a foundation for polar sciences.

Source: IPY History
1883

Nordenskiöld's Expedition to Greenland

Led by Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld, this expedition greatly advanced Arctic exploration and contributed to mapping the region.

Source: Nordenskiöld's Voyages
1932-1933

International Polar Year

Finland participated in the second International Polar Year, focusing on atmospheric research and climate data in the Arctic.

Source: IPY History
1940s-Present

Long-Term Biodiversity Monitoring at Kilpisjärvi Biological Station

Long-term ecological and environmental monitoring at Kilpisjärvi, focusing on Arctic flora, fauna, and the effects of climate change.

Source: GENERAL RESEARCH
1957-1958

International Geophysical Year

Finland contributed to this international scientific initiative, focusing on geophysical and atmospheric research in polar regions.

Source: IPY History
1987

Finnish Arctic Haze Research

Finland participated in studies of "Arctic haze," enhancing understanding of how pollutants travel and persist in the Arctic atmosphere.

Source: AMAP Assessment Report: Arctic Pollution Issues
1988-Present

Finnish Antarctic Expeditions

Although primarily focused on Antarctica, these expeditions contribute to Finland's polar research portfolio, focusing on climate change, ecosystems, and glaciology.

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute
1996

Founding of the Arctic Council

Finland became one of the eight founding members of the Arctic Council, promoting cooperation, sustainable development, and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Source: Arctic Council Website
1999

Development of the Northern Dimension Policy

Finland helped launch the Northern Dimension initiative to address regional environmental and economic challenges in the Arctic.

Source: Government of Finland
2000s-Present

Joint Research with Russia in the Barents Region

Finland collaborates with Russia on environmental monitoring and climate impact research in the Barents region, focusing on environmental changes, biodiversity, and climate in the Barents Sea region.

Source: Barents Euro-Arctic Council
2007-2008

International Polar Year

As part of the global initiative, Finland contributed to research on polar climates, with a focus on climate change and ice-sheet dynamics.

Source: The International Polar Year
2012

Arctic Ocean Acidification Project

Finnish researchers studied acidification effects on Arctic marine life, crucial for understanding ecological responses.

Source: AMAP Assessment 2013: Arctic Ocean Acidification
2015

Permafrost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study

The Finnish team's work on permafrost thaw and carbon emissions informed climate impact studies.

Source: Schuur et al. (2015)
2018-2023

Arctic Ocean Research Expeditions

Ongoing participation in Arctic Ocean expeditions focused on marine ecosystems, oceanography, and the impact of climate change on Arctic waters.

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute
2023

NATO Membership

Finland's NATO membership highlights security concerns in the Arctic, as it now shares a border with Russia.

Source: The Arctic Institute
Ongoing

Nordic Centre of Excellence Arctic Research Expeditions

Finland collaborates with other Nordic countries in Arctic research, focusing on topics such as sustainable development, climate change, and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Source: Arctic Centre